Protect Your Back as You Lie Down - Topic Overview

Bending or twisting your back can cause back pain. When you are
getting into bed, avoid twists and bends by following these steps. First, back
up to the bed, reach your hands back toward the bed as you bend your knees, and
use your arms to help lower yourself to
sit straight on the side of the bed. Then
use your arms to support you as you lean to the side. At the same time, lift your
legs off the floor. The idea is to keep your back in one nice, straight
position as you lower your upper body and raise your legs.
Keep your back straight and your legs bent after you are lying down. You can put a
pillow between your knees and stay on your side, or roll onto your back and put
a pillow under your knees.

To get out of bed, do the same steps in reverse: Roll to your side,
use your arms to help raise your upper body as you lower your legs to the
floor, then use your hands to help push yourself up from the bed.

In this article

This information is produced and provided by the National
Cancer
Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National
Cancer
Institute via the Internet web site at http://
cancer
.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated:
September 06, 2013

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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